Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires
Jewelry-making wire is a staple for both metalsmiths and jewelry designers. When it comes to non-precious metal wires, there are many to choose from with a wide variety of design possibilities. Whether you are looking for something strong or malleable, colorful or neutral there is a non-precious metal wire to suit your needs.

Wrapit® Wire

Wrapit wire comes in copper, jeweler's bronze, antique jeweler's bronze and nickel silver. Wrapit is available in dead-soft or half-hard and is easy to work with.

One benefit to this wire is that you can apply patinas and finishes for a truly custom look, perfect for giving age to new pieces of jewelry.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

Color-Coated Copper Wire

Color-coated copper wires, like Zebra Wire™ and Artistic Wire®, are a good choice when creating colorful pieces of wirework. They are available in many colors and are easy to wrap with.

This type of wire work-hardens and you can use cold-connecting techniques with it. Heat application, however, is not recommended, as it can damage the color coating. It is also advisable to work with nylon jaw pliers or to cover metal tools with Tool Magic® to protect the finish on the wire.

Color-coated copper wire can be used to create jump rings for colorful chainmaille. The only caveat here is that it should only be used for lightweight designs.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

ParaWire™

Blending flexibility and strength, ParaWire comes in many gauges and finishes and is ideal for Viking knit, crochet and jump rings. Made in the USA, ParaWire is available as a copper or brass base.

If using the plated or coated versions of this wire, nylon or dipped tools are helpful to prevent marring the surface.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

Aluminum Wire

Aluminum wire is a lightweight, pliable wire that is easy to work with and comes in many colors. For most projects, your bare hands are all you need to shape it, and its light weight makes it perfect for larger statement pieces. Unlike other wires, aluminum wire will stay soft and not harden after being worked.

One important thing to remember with aluminum wire is that is very soft, so you will not want to attach anything heavy to it. Also, be sure to use nylon-covered tools or dipped tools to protect the surface of the wire.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

Niobium Wire

This wire type is exceptionally lightweight and strong. The natural color of niobium is grey, but it is more popular in its anodized (electrically-colored) form. The temper is half-hard, so the wire can be worked into strong wire structures, such as chain and chainmaille.

One big benefit of niobium--both anodized and natural--is that it's considered hypoallergenic for most people. This allows for the creation of colorful, metal jewelry pieces that almost anyone can wear.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires


Memory Wire

Memory wire is a strong, stiff steel wire. It comes in preformed coils that are made to retain their shape.

This wire is perfect for making simple beaded rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. It only takes a simple loop or a bead end to finish.

When working with memory wire, use memory wire cutters only and choose heavy-duty round-nose, chain-nose and flat-nose pliers.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

Stainless Steel Wire

Stainless steel wire is ideal for creating sturdy wire components. It is resistant to corrosion and is also hypoallergenic for most people.

Stainless steel wire feels smooth and strong with a good springiness that works best with heavy-duty tools and gadgets. A coiling mechanism is ideal for coils, and a jig with steel pegs is helpful for wire components. For most wire-working and jewelry-making applications, the use of heat is not needed and not recommended.

While not as difficult to cut as memory wire, stainless steel wire should be cut with heavy-duty flush cutters or memory wire cutters. Do not use your standard flush-cutters, or you risk damaging them.

Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires

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